The Art of Art Collecting

Do you love contemporary art? Have you thought about starting a collection but aren’t sure where to begin? The art world can sometimes feel mysterious—even overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. This four-part lecture series is designed to make art collecting accessible, exciting, and confidence-building. You’ll gain the knowledge and tools to navigate the art ecosystem in a meaningful way.

Across the course, we’ll explore:

• Why people collect art and what motivates collectors
• Key considerations before starting your own collection
• How the art market operates—locally and globally
• Insights into the Australian and international art scenes, from emerging spaces to established galleries and major fairs

Each session begins with a themed lecture by Paul McDonald, followed by open discussion and guest presentations from Sydney’s leading commercial art galleries. Together, they’ll offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on galleries, exhibitions, artists, and collectors.

Whether you’re already involved in art or simply passionate about it, this course will help you understand and appreciate collecting artworks and perhaps inspire you to begin building a collection of your own.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age.

* Some short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us at short.courses@nas.edu.au

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below.

Notebook and pen
Digital notebook or tablet

Nick Vickers has worked in the Australian creative arts industries for over 30 years and has championed the works of emerging artists by establishing several galleries through universities and art colleges, including his first gallery at the University of NSW Art & Design in 1984. He has presented, curated and hosted national and international artists and has lectured in tertiary, intermediary and secondary institutions.

Nick contributed to the curatorial expanse of the University of Sydney Art Collection where, through his expertise as Curator of the University Union art collection, he added works of some considerable cultural significance. He established the Sir Hermann Black Gallery & Sculpture Terrace through which he hosted and curated ten years of highly rated art exhibitions and prizes that included The Blake Prize and The Freedman Foundation annual exhibitions. He has also acted as Curator to the Activate UTS art collection.

On a local government level Nick has served on curatorial panels with the Sawmillers Sculpture Prize at North Sydney, The City of Ryde Council as Curator of SWAP. Most recently he initiated Artists4Ukraine and Prints4Ukraine, 2 separate fundraising exhibitions that support displaced children from the Russian/Ukraine conflict. Over 100 of Australia’s leading artists donated works and raised over $75,500 for this worthy cause.

Nick is an independent art curator and lecturer at Meadowbank TAFE. In 2024 he curated a major exhibition Beyond the Brush in NSW Parliament House, Sydney. He has also co-curated exhibitions at The Armory at Sydney Olympic Park.